Solar Powered RV
Is there a way to run the Motorhome with solar panels (especially the A/C and microwave)? If so, how much do I need?
Forum Discussion
I was thinking of building a semi-portable install for enough solar panels to power my rig's A/C:
First, the inverter. Easy peesy -- I'd go 3000/6000 watts to handle the A/C's locked rotor amps, or 2000/4000.
Now the pain begins: I'd need enough batteries to last 24 hours, guesstimating eight hours of sunlight a day. That means I need 36kwh, or 3000 ampere-hours. Since batteries get damaged if discharged past 50%, double that.
6000 Ah means I need 30 or so 12 volt batteries. At ~50 pounds, that is 1500 pounds of weight, and that's not including the very thick gauge cables needed in parallel, as well as the connectors and a very good crimp tool. I'd probably need to go with a good bus bar on both sides. I'd need some heavy duty fuses because one short and I will have a sizable fireball on hand.
Now the panels: Factoring three times incoming charge as outgoing, I'd need 4500 watts in panels. Which means 15 300 watt panels, preferably 12 volt so I can run them in series with a MPPT controller. I'd need multiple charge controllers, so I'd need four MPPT controllers (assuming 48 volts is the max they will swallow, so all but one controller will get four panels.)
Of course, this is doable... but very expensive.
Cheaper to just buy a top tier generator, stick in a ventilated, soundproof enclosure, and call it done.
First, the inverter. Easy peesy -- I'd go 3000/6000 watts to handle the A/C's locked rotor amps, or 2000/4000.
Now the pain begins: I'd need enough batteries to last 24 hours, guesstimating eight hours of sunlight a day. That means I need 36kwh, or 3000 ampere-hours. Since batteries get damaged if discharged past 50%, double that.
6000 Ah means I need 30 or so 12 volt batteries. At ~50 pounds, that is 1500 pounds of weight, and that's not including the very thick gauge cables needed in parallel, as well as the connectors and a very good crimp tool. I'd probably need to go with a good bus bar on both sides. I'd need some heavy duty fuses because one short and I will have a sizable fireball on hand.
Now the panels: Factoring three times incoming charge as outgoing, I'd need 4500 watts in panels. Which means 15 300 watt panels, preferably 12 volt so I can run them in series with a MPPT controller. I'd need multiple charge controllers, so I'd need four MPPT controllers (assuming 48 volts is the max they will swallow, so all but one controller will get four panels.)
Of course, this is doable... but very expensive.
Cheaper to just buy a top tier generator, stick in a ventilated, soundproof enclosure, and call it done.
